Teen Multiple Personality Disorder Treatment

At Paradigm San Francisco, we provide holistic residential treatment for Teen Multiple Personality Disorder, which is also known as Teen Dissociative Identity Disorder. Teen Multiple Personality Disorder is a mental illness in which teens have two or more different personality states or identities which determine the teens’ behavior at alternating times. The different identities are called “alters” and may differ from one another in speech, mannerisms, beliefs, thoughts, and even gender identity.

Teen Multiple Personality Disorder Symptoms

When teens are taken over by one identity, they are completely at the whim of that personality, and therefore, may think and behave in ways that are completely different than their normal behaviors. It’s also common for teens to suffer severe memory loss during these time periods, including not remembering basic information such as their names and addresses. Once teens come out of that alter, they may not have any memory of what occurred, which understandably can be very frightening and disarming.

These experiences of changing personality cause teens to feel confused, helpless, and afraid, as they don’t know when to expect and later to come on and also cannot control it. This can cause teens to experience extreme feelings of anxiety, depression, and low feelings of self-worth, that sometimes lead to self-harming behaviors. Along these lines, it’s important to note that Teen Multiple Personality Disorder is commonly present as a Co-Occurring Disorder, such as:

This presence of Co-Occurring Disorders can also complicate the proper diagnosis and treatment of the illness.

Paradigm San Francisco Teen Multiple Personality Disorder Treatment

At Paradigm San Francisco, we provide treatment for teen personality disorders, including Teen Multiple Personality Disorder treatment. We also specialize in diagnosis and treatment of Co-Occurring Disorders. During Teen Multiple Personality Disorder treatment, we draw upon both traditional and alternative therapeutic modalities to create a unique, individualized treatment plan. Therapists work with teens to address their current behaviors and experiences, as well as the mental and emotional aspects of their current struggles. It’s especially important to support teens as they process and address the different aspects of fear, anxiety, and depression which they might be experiencing.

From a behavioral standpoint, the goal of treatment is to help teens to explore and identify the different personalities, and then over time, unite them into a single identity. Throughout this process, our therapists help teens to address outward behaviors; identify new behaviors or strategies, both to alleviate stress and make them more successful in their lives; learn tools for dealing with anxiety and depression; and rebuild a positive, healthier sense of self. At the same time, we also provide an array of supplemental support services, to help address any of teens’ current needs and goals regarding their academic, physical, and/or relational health. In some cases, it can also be useful for teens to take medication, which will serve to reduce and/or eliminate symptoms and provide teens with considerable relief.